Pioneering Solutions for Depression and Bipolar Disorder

As many as 17 percent of Americans will experience some form of mood disorder in their lifetime—such as depression or bipolar disorder. Despite their prevalence, mood disorders remain one of the most widespread, misunderstood, and stigmatized health issues we face. Their impact reverberates far beyond an individual’s life. Families, friends, communities, economies—all are affected by these diseases. Depression now ranks first in rate of incidence among all illnesses worldwide; bipolar disorder ranks fifth. Tragically, suicide, often triggered by a mood disorder, takes more than one million lives worldwide every year.

Stanford Mood Disorders Center at a Glance

  • 1,000 inpatients per year
  • 8,000 total patients annually
  • 55 clinical trials completed since 2003
  • 1,000 undergraduates and 130 postdoctoral fellows trained between 2004 and 2017
  • 250 medical students per year
  • 200 leading-edge interdisciplinary research projects under way


Although the incidence and impact of mood disorders are undeniably on the rise, hope for solutions has never been higher. Through the Stanford Mood Disorders Center and Research Program, scientists and physicians are building on Stanford’s traditions of excellence, healing, and innovation. They are leveraging new knowledge of genetics and the brain’s molecular processes, and drawing on new techniques for imaging and healing the brain. Merging Stanford’s expertise across disciplines—psychiatry, biology, engineering, and myriad other fields—they are streamlining the process of translating laboratory discoveries into breakthrough treatments.

Through the research programs at the Stanford Mood Disorders Center, Stanford has led the quest for new knowledge and therapies for mood disorders. Today the center is expanding its reach and mobilizing Stanford’s diverse expertise toward a powerful shared mission: to overcome mood disorders through innovation and compassion.

Transformative Therapies & Technologies

Never before have we been so close to breakthroughs that will transform our approach
to mood disorders, delivering advanced solutions for sufferers, their families, their friends, and their communities. Stanford is leading the way in understanding brain processes and transforming new knowledge, rapidly and efficiently, into new therapies and technologies. 
Kenneth T. Norris, Jr. Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

19th Annual Mood Disorders Education Day

Saturday, October 14, 2023
9:00AM – 1:00 PM
Translating Emerging Treatments for Mood Disorders Into Practice

Please join the Stanford University Mood Disorders Center for exciting presentations and Q&A on ground-breaking new insights and treatments for mood disorders by our faculty at Stanford. Topics will range from the latest advancements in diagnostics, considerations for special populations, to innovative treatments for mood symptoms, such as brain stimulation, psychedelics, and strategies to personalize treatment.

Featured speakers include Drs Anna Lembke, Neir Eshel, Trisha Suppes, Nolan Williams, Greg Sahlem, Leanne Williams, Charles DeBattista, and several other experts in the field.

This free educational event is open to all members of the community. Mood disorders can have lasting negative effects on individuals, families, the economy, and society. It is our hope that this event will promote awareness and share the latest scientific advancements aimed to reduce suffering caused by mood disorders.

Please pre-register via Eventbrite to guarantee your spot.

Suicide-Focused Assessment and Treatment: An Update for Professionals

Free Workshop | October 25, 2023 | 8:30am-1:45pm (PST)/11:30am-4:45pm (EDT)

Please join us for the third annual free virtual workshop, Suicide-Focused Assessment and Treatment. This workshop is a collaboration between McLean Hospital, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, and the Stanford University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. 

In addition to attending the workshop live, this year's registrants will be eligible to access the workshop on demand. Please note that registration will be required to receive the link. This year's workshop will take place on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 8:30am-1:45pm (PST)/11:30am-4:45pm (EDT). Please note that all the presentations this year are new:

  • Management of impulsivity and chronic suicidality
  • Application of the 988-Lifeline model in Clinical Practice
  • Assessing and treating suicide risk in Psychotic disorders
  • Latest developments in DBT Treatment for high risk youth
  • Integration of the SAFE-T Protocol into an EMR and assignment of suicide risk
  • Update on clinical Utilization of Ketamine/Psychedelics
  • Liability Mitigation in all settings, including Telehealth
  • A dialogue with a suicide loss survivor
     

This free workshop is appropriate for all disciplines in the mental health field, including psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social work, and counseling.

Those who register for the workshop will receive McLean's free online resource entitled "Current Status of Suicide-Focused Assessment and Treatment." This extensive online resource is updated every 6 months and provides easily accessible references and guidelines to help clinicians approach the clinical challenge of a suicidal patient. 

There is no cost to attend the event or receive the online resource that will accompany the program. However, optional continuing education credits for all disciplines will be available through McLean Hospital for a small administrative fee. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about this important and timely course.